Marineland 40 "Breeder" brace

MrDJeep123 · Feb 15, 2014

My LFS had ordered a 40g breeder, it was from Marineland. But the issue was that it didn't have a brace in the middle. I'm not familiar with any 40g breeder not having the brace. The ones I have seen had them. I felt along the trim and it felt rough as if it was cut. I'm not sure if this was manufacturing or not. I didn't buy it as I wasn't sure of it's integrity. It also didn't have an overflow, but I was told none of them the overflow included. Not that that part mattered, it just would be less hassle. Because I would have to buy a HOB overflow. So, I'm not sure if I want to pull the trigger and buy it, most especially considering the price. If I knew when PetCo was going to do their tank sale, I would hold off.

Thoughts on the brace issue?

benihana · Feb 15, 2014

Petco just finished their sale at the end of January. As far as the center brace, mine doesn't have one. Also, unless you special order it, none of them come with the reef ready option.

As far as the overflow goes, I would HIGHLY reccomend drilling the back and then siliconing in your own INTERNAL overflow. You can find the online at bulkreefsupply.com

I doubt the tank you looked at had a center brave that was cut, probably more of a manufacturing issue, but shouldn't be a structural defect by any means

MrDJeep123 · Feb 15, 2014

benihana said:
Petco just finished their sale at the end of January. As far as the center brace, mine doesn't have one. Also, unless you special order it, none of them come with the reef ready option.

Bummer, so they probably won't do it again for awhile? Do they tell you if you sign up for email notifications when the sale is happening again?

As far as the overflow goes, I would HIGHLY reccomend drilling the back and then siliconing in your own INTERNAL overflow. You can find the online at bulkreefsupply.com

Probably was going to do that anyways. My only issue is I've not done it before and a little nervous. I know not to do it on tempered glass.

I doubt the tank you looked at had a center brave that was cut, probably more of a manufacturing issue, but shouldn't be a structural defect by any means

I figured a possibility, but it was seriously rough. As if someone just took a hand-saw to it.

Thanks for the reply.

benihana · Feb 15, 2014

No problem... If you aren't confident in the one your LFS had, then just grab a different one... They seem to be in stock most places.

As far as drilling the tank, there are a number of videos on YouTube and lots of helpful discussions both here on RC and on other sites

Sflynn313 · Feb 15, 2014

Many lfs drill the tank for $20 it would be safer then trying to do it yourself

tvoydan · Feb 15, 2014

I also just picked up a 40 breeder from petco and did not have a center brace.

Sflynn313 · Feb 15, 2014

Also you can buy a piece of acrylic and attach with stainless steal screws that's what my lfs told me to do

gar732 · Feb 15, 2014

None of the 40 breeders I've seen have a center brace, mine doesn't. It's designed to work without a brace so adding one isn't necessary and will only get in the way. As for drilling, it's not as difficult as you would think. I just drilled a couple tanks, total of 4 holes and it was cake. Just go slow and turn the clutch to a lower setting so that if it snags it doesn't brake and use plenty of water to keep things cool. I used a DIY glass holes style overflow and I'm happy with how low profile it is. Also if you have a local reef club that's a good place to look for a tank. 40 breeders come up all the time in my reef club and you can probably find a hole saw and maybe someone to drill it if you really aren't comfortable trying it.

miamiangler · Feb 15, 2014

MrDJeep123 said:
Thanks for the reply.

Do sweat drilling holes in the tank . I ordered an overflow from glass holes .com . the package arrived last Friday and within half hour I drilled 3 holes in my tank . Mine had a sticker on the bottom glass which was Tempered . I was not sure about the sides so I went for it ! Tank was free anyway . Watch their videos .I also gave them a 5 star on their reviews .

MrDJeep123 · Feb 15, 2014

Weird! I've seen many WITH the brace, so I assumed that was standard. I was going to cut out the brace and put acrylic there with plasticy bolts anyways. My only concern was bowing and tank breakage. It just didn't feel right when I seen it, especially with the roughage where the brace would have been. Shoddy workmanship it came across.

gar732 · Feb 15, 2014

My tank came from petco and I've had it setup for about three months with no issues. I've seen people with the same tank setup much long without issue. I just double checked my tank, no rough cuts.

MrDJeep123 · Feb 16, 2014

Quality of Marineland tanks these days?
I just don't want to pay $100 for the tank. Unfortunately CL has come up short.

tidus10 · Feb 25, 2014

I haven't seen a 40g with a brace in a long time. Mines drilled and without a brace. And remember, in the plastic manufacture to change the mold is expensive. They may have just filled in where the brace used to be and kept on producing.

MrDJeep123 · Feb 25, 2014

Well, I decided to buy it. As of now it sits in my living room floor. Plans to set it up this weekend perhaps.

Thanks for the input everyone!

benihana · Feb 25, 2014

good luck....I think you will be fine.

You could also put it in the garage/outside and fill it with tap water and see how it does if you are still worried.

MrDJeep123 · Feb 25, 2014

benihana said:
good luck....I think you will be fine.

You could also put it in the garage/outside and fill it with tap water and see how it does if you are still worried.

I plan to do that with the leak test anyways. I always test them before I bring them. Big tank, no brace, in rented apartment... you get the picture of my concerns I'm sure.

benihana · Feb 25, 2014

yep...been there before

GHill762 · Feb 25, 2014

no brace on my 40b..

I'd stay away from the $1/g sale. every tank I've gotten from that sale had bad/inferior seams, one actually started leaking from the bottom pane.. I thought it was just me and my bad luck, but I've seen more and more of these stories pop up about $1/g sale tanks. there was actually an article about it somewhere IIRC..

NanaReefer · Feb 25, 2014

Saturday I bought a 40b from Pet Smart for $40. No center brace on it. However it does seem it started out with a center brace but then was removed by the manufacturer.